WO2006098014A1 - Presence information managing method and presence information managing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A presence information managing method for managing presence information of users having e-mail addresses by using an associated terminal address/presence information table in which the terminal addresses of terminals are associated with the presence information including the positional information of those terminals and with which the thus associated terminal addresses and presence information are registered in advance, and further using an associated e-mail address/terminal address table in which e-mail addresses are associated with the terminal addresses and with which the thus associated e-mail addresses and terminal addresses are registered, wherein the e-mail address of a user and the presence information of a terminal is extracted from an e-mail reception request; the extracted e-mail address is used to search the associated e-mail address/terminal address table; and wherein when the retrieved terminal address is not coincident with the extracted terminal address, the extracted terminal address is registered with the associated e-mail address/terminal address table, thereby automatically updating the user presence information during the e-mail reception request.

Description

 Specification

 Presence information management method and presence information management system

 Technical field

 The present invention relates to a presence information management method and a presence information management system, and relates to a presence information management method and a presence information management system for managing user presence information.

 Background art

 [0002] With the spread of networks, the use of e-mail as a means of communication between bases has spread! However, if there is a case where contact is made reliably, the telephone is used as a means of communication in an emergency. There are still many opportunities.

 [0003] There are multiple bases or offices, and telephones and in-house LANs (Local Area Networks) have been installed! Contact companies who contact other bases or offices. If you want to contact us by e-mail, use the other party's e-mail address. However, when you make a call, you will be able to call the phone number at the other party's seat. If the other party is not at that seat, you will be told where the other party is and you will be directed to the phone at that location. Need to be transferred or redone.

 [0004] In this case, if there is information on whether the other party is present or absent in advance, there is no need to contact the other party. A server that provides so-called presence information, such as the ability of the person who wants to call to be at his / her own seat or the power of being elsewhere, is called a presence server.

 [0005] The presence server automatically collects presence information by using sensors that detect presence, users using GPS (Global Positioning System), wireless LAN, and FeliCa (contactless IC technology). There are a method of searching user records and identifying user presence information and a method of using fingerprint seal data.

[0006] If a mobile phone is used, presence information such as information on base stations communicating with the mobile phone and location information of users using the mobile phone can be easily collected using GPS. it can. However, when these methods are actually introduced by companies, sensors, etc. Infrastructure is required.

 [0007] Even when using a mobile phone, it is costly to provide each employee with a mobile phone. Also, when contacting a mobile phone from a company's landline, communication is better than contacting the landline. Cost is required. From a cost standpoint, it is difficult to say that it can be applied to all corporate systems.

 [0008] The function to know the other party's presence information without newly introducing the above-mentioned infrastructure including a presence server is provided by an instant messaging (IM) service using a Web server or groupware. For the most part, these require users to enter their presence information step-by-step when the user is absent or moves, and all users have tools to provide information. It is necessary to install on other terminals.

[0009] Further, there is a method of acquiring information on the other party who wants to make a call by detecting presence by using a sensor and notifying a telephone server (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0010] In addition, Patent Document 2 describes a connection technique for automatically connecting between clients while managing IP addresses so that an IP phone or the like can be used.

Patent Document 3 describes that a seat state is managed between a client and a server via a network, and has a function such as automatic seat registration Z deletion.

[0012] Patent Document 4 describes a technique for easily communicating on the Internet by associating a telephone number with an IP address.

 Patent Document 1: JP 2000-134336 A

 Patent Document 2: JP 2002-169776 A

 Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-259648

 Patent Document 4: Japanese Translation of Special Publication 2002-534914

 Disclosure of the invention

 Problems to be solved by the invention

[0013] In a company that has multiple bases or offices and has a telephone and in-house LAN installed, a presence server is installed to collect and manage employee presence information. As described above, there is a method for collecting information. There is a way to install equipment or install software on all employees' terminals.

 [0014] However, the former has a higher introduction cost. The latter may have a lower introduction cost than the former. Since all terminals need to be installed, the corresponding maintenance cost is also required. There was a problem.

 [0015] For companies that have multiple bases or offices and have telephones and internal LANs installed, all employees who belong to groups such as departments or projects using internal LANs Mailing lists are often used to notify information by email. Typically, this type of business communication uses a mailing list registered to publicize employees who belong to the organization or where they are registered.

 [0016] Here, when there is information that you want to notify only to the person at the site, such as a power outage notice or disaster information about the site A, use the mailing list that registered the people at the site A and send it by e-mail. Information will be notified.

 [0017] However, those who have made other business trips to the site A are not included in the mailing list compiled at the registered location (location A), so this email will not be notified. In addition, the normal place of residence is base A. If you are currently on a business trip to another base, you will be notified of this email even if you do not need it. If information about business travelers is reflected in the mailing list one by one, this is not the case, but adding and deleting mailing lists for short-term business travelers each time is cumbersome and realistic. is not.

 [0018] The technique of Patent Document 2 has a problem that it cannot automatically manage contact information of the other party and provide Z information!

 [0019] The technique of Patent Document 3 can be said to be management based on a client terminal, which requires a management function of IP address / MAC address correspondence information. Power realized by adding functions such as automatic seat registration Z deletion to a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server The number of DHCP servers in a company's network is enormous, and functions for all DHCP servers There is a problem that adding is not realistic in terms of cost.

[0020] Further, the technique of Patent Document 4 automatically uses a mail transmission / reception as a trigger to automatically send the destination (partner) power. It is not possible to dynamically associate a talk number with an IP address. Another problem is that the location (contact method) cannot be specified.

 The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a presence information management method and a presence information management system that can automatically update a user's presence information when a mail reception request is made. Is a general purpose.

 Means for solving the problem

[0022] To achieve this object, the presence information management method of the present invention includes a terminal address presence information correspondence table pre-registered in association with a terminal address of a terminal and presence information including the position information, a mail address, and the like. In the presence information management method that manages presence information of users with email addresses using the email address-to-device address correspondence table registered with the device address and the email address of the user from the email reception request And the terminal address of the terminal is extracted, the mail address-terminal address correspondence table is searched with the extracted mail address, and when the searched terminal address does not match the extracted terminal address, the extracted terminal address is the mail address. Register in one terminal address correspondence table.

 The invention's effect

 [0023] According to such a presence information management method, it is possible to automatically update the user's presence information when a mail reception request is made.

 Brief Description of Drawings

 FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system for realizing a presence information management method of the present invention.

 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a network configuration of a first embodiment of a system for realizing the method of the present invention.

 FIG. 3 is an operation sequence of the first embodiment of the system for realizing the method of the present invention.

 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a network configuration of a second embodiment of a system for realizing the method of the present invention.

 FIG. 5 is an operation sequence of the second embodiment of the system for realizing the method of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a network configuration of a third embodiment of a system for realizing the method of the present invention. is there.

7) The operation sequence of the third embodiment of the system for realizing the method of the present invention. [8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a network configuration of a fourth embodiment of the system for realizing the method of the present invention.

[9] The operation sequence of the fourth embodiment of the system for realizing the method of the present invention. [10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a network configuration of a fifth embodiment of a system for realizing the method of the present invention.

11) The operation sequence of the fifth embodiment of the system for realizing the method of the present invention. Explanation of symbols

 10 Menoresano

 11, 21 POP daemon

 12, 22 SMTP daemon

 13 Email address IP address correspondence information extraction means

 14 Email address IP address correspondence information management means

 15 Mail address IP address correspondence information transmission means

 16 Email address IP address cache

 17 Positioning mailing list information acquisition means

 20 Presence server

 23 Email address information z Presence information management means

 24 Presence information request acceptance and response means

 25 Data registration means

 26 IP address compatible location information management means

 27 IP address location information extraction means

 28 Positioning mailing list information request acceptance and response means

 29 PBX setting method

 30 Presence information change notification means

 31 IP address one-position information correspondence table

32 E-mail address information table 33 E-mail address IP address correspondence table

 BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Configuration of maine server and presence server>

 FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a system for realizing the presence information management method of the present invention. This system has multiple sites, and a mail server 10 that is used for sending and receiving emails at companies that have internal LANs built between sites, and a presence server 20 that is attached to the email server 10 Consists of. The mail server 10 and the presence server 20 may be configured as a single unit.

[0028] The mail server 10 manages the transmission and reception of message data on the corporate LAN. As before, the POP (Post Office Protocol) daemon 11 that performs processing when downloading terminal calls is performed from the terminal. It has an SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) daemon 12 that performs processing when sending mail. Further, the mail server 10 is newly provided with the following means.

[0029] Mail address The IP address correspondence information extracting means 13 extracts the mail address of the mail user who made the transmission request and the IP address of the terminal that made the transmission request when the mail server 10 made a mail transmission request. , E-mail address IP address correspondence information management means 14 is notified.

 Mail address The IP address correspondence information management means 14 searches and registers the mail address IP address correspondence cache 16. Mail address IP address correspondence information transmitting means 15 notifies the presence server 20 of the correspondence between the mail address and the IP address. The mail address / IP address correspondence cache 16 is a cache for storing a correspondence table between the mail address and the IP address of the terminal having the mail reception request, and has the same structure as the mail address / IP address correspondence table 33.

 [0031] The location designation mailing list information acquisition means 17 collects information on the mail users in the location from the presence sensor 20 in order to send mail to all the mail users in the specific location.

[0032] Presence server 20 collects and manages the presence information of employees. The server 10 is provided with a POP daemon 21, an SMTP daemon 22, mail address information Z presence information management means 23, presence information request reception and response means 24, and data registration means 25 as in the conventional case.

In addition, the presence server 20 is newly provided with the following means. The IP address correspondence position information management means 26 searches and registers the IP address / position information correspondence table 31. The IP address location information extraction means 27 collects information necessary for the content of the email when the location information corresponding to the newly added IP address is registered by email.

 The position designation mailing list information request reception and response means 28 receives the request from the mail server 10 and returns the mail address information of the user at the specific position. PBX setting device 29 notifies CBX (Call Forwarding All Cal: Call Forwarding Function) to PBX (Private Branch eXchange).

 [0035] Presence information change notification means 30 notifies the presence information when the presence information of the designated partner is updated.

 [0036] The IP address / one-position information correspondence table 31 is a table in which the IP address of the terminal, the telephone number of the seat where the terminal is located, and the location information of the base are registered in advance in association with each other!

 [0037] The email address information table 32 is a table for managing personal information (name 'title, etc.) of email address, PBX transfer notification flag, and presence information change notification flag. When information is requested using the search key as a search key, it is referenced to obtain information corresponding to the mail address.

 [0038] Mail address IP address correspondence table 33 is a table in which the mail address and the IP address of the terminal that received the mail reception request are registered in association with each other. Mail address, initial registration IP address, connection IP address, connection Holds the last update time of the IP address.

 [0039] General operation of the first embodiment>

E-mail user power with e-mail address When POP daemon 11 of mail server 10 requests e-mail reception, POP daemon 11 delivers e-mail addressed to e-mail user to e-mail user and at the same time requests e-mail transmission from e-mail user. Mail add Notify the IP address correspondence information extraction means 13.

 Mail address IP address correspondence information extraction means 13 extracts the mail address and the IP address of the mail user's terminal from the notified information, and notifies the mail address IP address correspondence information management means 14.

 [0041] Mail address The IP address correspondence information management means 14 refers to the mail address IP address correspondence cache 16, and uses the IP address corresponding to the mail address (hereinafter, "connection IP address" is simply referred to as "IP address"). Search for. If the searched IP address does not match the acquired IP address, the presence information of the mail user is considered to have changed, and the acquired IP address is registered in the connection IP address of the mail address IP address cache 16.

[0042] After registration, the mail address IP address correspondence information management means 14 notifies the mail address and IP address correspondence information transmission means 15 of the mail address and the IP address. Mail address The IP address correspondence information sending means 15 notifies the mail address information / presence information management means 23 of the presence server 20 of this mail address and IP address.

 Mail address information Z presence information management means 23 rewrites the IP address (connection IP address) corresponding to the notified mail address in the mail address IP address correspondence table 33 with the notified IP address.

 [0044] When a user requests presence information of a certain mail user, the user notifies the presence server 20 of the name of the person for whom presence information is desired. When the presence server 20 receives the presence information request and response means 24, the presence server 20 notifies the e-mail address information Z presence information management means 23 of the requested name.

 Mail address information Z presence information management means 23 searches the mail address information table 32 and acquires the mail address from the notified name. After that, the mail address / IP address correspondence table 33 is searched to obtain the IP address. The mail address information that acquired the IP address Z presence information management means 23 notifies the IP address corresponding position information management means 26 of the IP address.

[0046] The IP address corresponding position information managing means 26 acquires position information corresponding to the IP address notified by the IP address-position information corresponding table 31, and sends the mail address information Z presentation. Return to management information management means 23. The acquired information is notified to the presence information request source through presence information request reception and response means 24.

 [0047] General Operation of Second Embodiment>

 When sending information to all employees at a specific site W by e-mail, the e-mail is sent to a predetermined mailing list address sent to all employees at the site W.

 [0048] The POP daemon 11 of the mail server 10 receives the mail and refers to the mail address.

 From the mail address, the POP daemon 11 notifies the position designation mailing list information acquisition means 17 that the target position of the mailing list is the base W. The location designation mailing list information acquisition unit 17 requests the location designation mailing list information request reception and response unit 28 of the presence server 20 for information on the mail user at the base W.

 The position designation mailing list information request reception and response means 28 notifies the mail address information Z presence information management means 23 of the position information. When the e-mail address information Z presence information management means 23 notifies the acquired position information to the IP address corresponding position information management means 26, the IP address corresponding position information management means 26 refers to the IP address-one position information correspondence table 31. , Get a list of IP addresses existing at site W. For this IP address list, refer to the mail address / IP address correspondence table 33 to obtain a list of mail addresses corresponding to the IP address in the IP address list.

 The list of mail addresses is notified to the position designation mailing list information acquisition means 17 of the mail server 10 via the position designation mailing list information request reception and response means 28. Send mail from this SMTP address to this mail address.

 [0051] General operation of the third embodiment>

 When a user uses the PBX CFA notification function, the presence server 20 is notified of his / her mail address. The presence server 20 receives this by the PBX setting means 29 and notifies the mail address information Z presence information management means 23 of the mail address.

Mail address information Z presence information management means 23 searches mail address information table 32 and turns on the PBX setting flag corresponding to the mail address. When registration is complete in the table, presence server 20 completes registration with the user via PBX setting means 29. To be notified.

 [0053] As described above, the presence information is updated by receiving the user power S-mail, and the mail address information / presence information management means 23 of the presence server 20 sets the IP address corresponding to the mail address to the mail address IP. Search in address correspondence table 33 and rewrite to the notified IP address.

 Thereafter, the mail address information Z presence information management means 23 refers to the mail address information table 32 and checks the PBX setting flag of the mail address whose presence information has been changed. If the PBX setting flag is on, PBX CF A notification is required. First, e-mail address to obtain presence information (telephone number). Initial registration of notification e-mail address in IP address compatible table 33 IP address The IP address corresponding location information management means 26 is notified of the changed connection IP address.

 [0055] The IP address corresponding location information management means 26 searches the IP address-location information correspondence table 31, acquires the initial registration IP address and presence information (telephone number) corresponding to the changed connection IP address, and the mail address. Information Return to Z presence information management means 23.

 [0056] E-mail address information / presence information management means 23 adds PBX setting means 29 to the default telephone number of the notification e-mail address (corresponding to the initial registration IP address) and the current telephone number (corresponding to the changed connection IP address) ). The PFA notification means 29 sends the CF A notification to the PBX that the destination of the first telephone number is the current telephone number, and the CFA notification process is completed.

 [0057] General Operation of Fourth Embodiment>

 Suppose that a user is contacted by telephone but is absent, or that the presence server 20 is requested to return presence information of a user but is absent. The user who has received the absence notification requests the presence server 20 to notify the presence information when the presence information is updated, such as when the absent user returns to the seat.

[0058] Presence information request acceptance and response means 24 of presence server 20 receives this, notifies the mail address of the absent user to be notified to mail address information Z presence information management means 23, and information on the user who is the request source Notifies the presence information change notification means 30. [0059] Mail address information Z presence information management means 23 uses the mail address IP address correspondence table 33 to determine the presence information change notification flag corresponding to the mail address of the specified absent user and the mail address that requested the change notification. sign up.

 [0060] As described above, presence information is updated by receiving the absence user power S-mail, and the mail address information Z presence information management means 23 of the presence server 20 uses the IP address corresponding to the mail address as the mail address IP address. Search in correspondence table 33 and rewrite to the notified IP address.

 Thereafter, the mail address information Z presence information management means 23 refers to the mail address information table 32 and checks the presence information change notification flag of the mail address whose presence information has been changed. If the flag is set, presence information change notification is required for the mail address that requested the change notification. First, the IP address that has been changed to obtain presence information is assigned to the IP address corresponding position information management means 26 Notify

 [0062] The IP address location information management means 26 searches the IP address-position information correspondence table 31, acquires presence information corresponding to the notified IP address, and returns it to the mail address information Z presence information management means 23 . Mail address information Z presence information management means 23 notifies the presence information change notification means 30 of the mail address and the changed presence information. The presence information change notifying means 30 notifies the requesting user of the updated presence information of the absent user, thereby completing the presence information notification process.

 [0063] General Operation of Fifth Embodiment>

 As described above, presence information is updated by receiving the user power S-mail, and the mail address information / presence information management means 23 of the presence server 20 assigns the IP address corresponding to the mail address to the mail address IP address correspondence table. Search at 33 and rewrite to the notified IP address.

 [0064] Here, in consideration of the case where the user receives the mail at the terminal assigned with the new IP address, the mail address information Z presence information management means 23 receives the opportunity when the IP address is changed. Then, the IP address corresponding location information managing means 26 is notified of the IP address changed to obtain the presence information (telephone number).

[0065] IP address corresponding position information management means 26 is ranked first from the notified IP address. Search the location information correspondence table 31 and obtain the corresponding presence information (phone number). Force If the notified IP address does not exist in the IP address / location information correspondence table 31 !, IP address-location The mail address information Z presence information management means 23 is notified that it does not exist in the information correspondence table 31.

[0066] E-mail address information Z presence information management means 23 does not exist in the table. In order to collect location information about IP addresses, e-mail should be sent to the user who made a mail reception request at that IP address. The SMTP daemon 22 is notified to send a location information request mail to the user's mail address.

[0067] The user who receives the mail from the presence server 20 fills in the mail with the location information about the received IP address in a predetermined format, and transmits it to the presence server 20.

 In response to this, the POP daemon 21 of the presence server 20 transmits the contents of the received mail to the IP address corresponding position information extracting means 27. The IP address corresponding position information extraction means 27 extracts the mail content / position information and notifies the data registration means 25 together with the IP address.

 [0069] The data registration means 25 notifies the address information corresponding to the IP address to the mail address information Z presence information management means 23, and the mail address information Z presence information management means 23 registers it in the IP address / position information correspondence table 31. Therefore, the IP address corresponding location information management means 26 is notified. The IP address corresponding position information management means 26 registers the position information corresponding to the IP address in the IP address-position information correspondence table 31, and returns a registration completion notice.

 [0070] First Embodiment>

 An embodiment of the presence information management method of the present invention will be described in more detail. It is assumed that presence information requests and responses between the user and the presence server 20 are sent by mail. Other communication interfaces between the user and the presence server 20 include a web browser and LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol).

FIG. 2 shows the network configuration of the first embodiment of the system for realizing the method of the present invention, and FIG. 3 shows the operation sequence of the first embodiment of the system for realizing the method of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the mail user is connected to a network where the mail server 10 and the presence server 20 can be used. The mail server 10 includes a POP daemon 11, a mail address IP address correspondence information extraction means 13, a mail address IP address correspondence information management means 14, a mail address IP address correspondence information transmission means 15, and a mail address IP address correspondence cache 16. . The mail server 10 transmits / receives mail to / from the mail user via communication using the network. It also exchanges presence information with the presence server 20. Here, it is assumed that the exchange is performed using LDAP.

 [0073] Presence server 20 includes mail address information Z presence information management means 23, presence information request reception and response means 24, IP address correspondence position information management means 26, mail address information table 32, and mail address IP address correspondence table 33. And IP address location information correspondence table 31. The presence server 20 exchanges information with the presence information requesting user via mail.

 [0074] For all new IP addresses, static registration of location information>

 For the newly added IP address “2.2.4.4”, the administrator of Presence Server 20 adds the location information corresponding to the IP address to Presence Server 20 (the location is W and the phone number is 4211), a registration request is made to the data registration means 25 of the presence server 20 (step 1 1 in FIG. 3).

 The data registration unit 25 of the presence server 20 notifies the notified IP address and location information to the mail address information Z presence information management unit 23 (step 1-2). In response to this, the mail address information Z presence information management means 23 sends an IP address and position information registration request to the IP address corresponding position information management means 26 (step 1-3).

 The IP address corresponding position information managing means 26 registers the position information corresponding to the IP address in the IP address-position information corresponding table 31 (steps 14 and 15). After the information registration is completed, the data registration means 25 sends a notification of the completion of registration to Mr. β through the mail address information Z presence information management means 23 (step 1-6-18).

 [0077] <Registration of presence information>

Now, a business trip from site V and an IP address of site W 2. 2. 4. 4 ”is a mail addressed to BBB @ mail, fujitsu. Com Receiving When a mail request is issued to the mail server 10 (steps 1-9), POP daemon 11 of the mail server 10 sends a mail addressed to BBB@mail.fujitsu.com to Mr. α (step 1). Ten).

 After transmission, in order to manage the position information of Mr. α, a request for transmission of Mr. α is notified to the mail address IP address correspondence information extracting means 13 (step 1-11). Email address IP address correspondence information extraction means 13 extracts α's email address BBB @ mail, fujitsu.com and IP address "2. 2. 4. 4" from the email reception request, and sends email address IP address correspondence information. A processing request is sent to the management means 14 (step 1 12).

 [0079] Email address The IP address correspondence information management means 14 searches the notified email address B BB @ mail. Fujitsu. Com with the email address IP address correspondence cache 16 (step 1-13), BBB @ mail, Extract the IP address corresponding to fujitsu.com and the last updated time of the IP address.

 [0080] If the extracted IP address and the notified IP address do not match, the notified IP address is set in the mail address IP address correspondence cache 16. Here, the notified IP address is “2. 2. 4. 4”, which is different from the IP address of the cache, so register “2. 2. 4. 4” and update the last update time (step 1 14). When the setting is completed, in order to change the mail address management information of the presence server 20, the mail address / IP address correspondence information sending means 15 is requested to process the mail address, the IP address, and the update time as parameters, and the process is terminated. (Steps 1-15).

 [0081] Mail address The IP address correspondence information sending means 15 uses the notified mail address, IP address, and update time as parameters to send the mail address BBB @ to the mail address information / presence information management means 23 of the presence server 20. Requests the setting of the IP address corresponding to mail, fujitsu. com, and ends the process (step 1-16).

 [0082] Mail address information Z presence information management means 23 searches mail address IP address correspondence table 33 based on the notified mail address (step 1-17), and the IP address corresponding to the notified mail address. (Step 1-18).

 <Request for presence information>

I want to know Mr. α's presence information. Mr. δ collects Mr. α's presence information. A request is made to the presence information request reception and response means 24 of the presence server 20 to be collected (step 1-19).

 [0084] Presence information request acceptance and response means 24 notifies the information of the requested name (Mr. oc) to mail address information Z presence information management means 23 (step 120). Mail address information Z presence information management means 23 searches the mail address information table 32 for the mail address corresponding to the notified name power (steps 1-21 and 1-22).

 [0085] Here, α's mail address BBB @ mail, fujitsu.com is acquired. After that, the e-mail address information Z presence information management means 23 uses the retrieved e-mail address BBB © mail, fujitsu. Com as the corresponding IP address 〃 2. 2. 4. 4 に て in the e-mail address-IP address correspondence table 33. Search (steps 1-23, 1-24).

 [0086] The mail address information / presence information managing means 23 notifies the searched IP address to the IP address corresponding position information managing means 26 (step 1-25). -Search the location information correspondence table 31 (step 1-26), and obtain the notified IP address presence information on the IP address (location is base W, phone number is 4211) (steps 1-27, 1- 28).

 [0087] Mail address information Z presence information management means 23 notifies the acquired presence information to the presence information request reception and response means 24 (step 1-29). Presence information request reception and response means 24 sends an email describing Mr. oc's presence information to Mr. β (step 130). This completes the process for requesting presence information, and Mr. δ can obtain Mr. a's information.

 In the present embodiment, it is possible to automatically update the user presence information when a mail reception request is made.

 [0089] <Second Embodiment>

 FIG. 4 shows the network configuration of the second embodiment of the system for realizing the method of the present invention, and FIG. 5 shows the operation sequence of the second embodiment of the system for realizing the method of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, the mail user is connected to a network where the mail server 10 and the presence server 20 can be used. The mail server 10 has an SMTP daemon 12 and a location designation mailing list information acquisition means 17. Mail server 10 used the network Send and receive emails to email users via communication. It also exchanges presence information with the presence server 20. Here, it is assumed that communication is performed using LDAP.

 [0091] Presence server 20 includes mail address information Z presence information management means 23, IP address compatible location information management means 26, location designation mailing list information request reception and response means 28, IP address-position information correspondence table 31 and email. It has an address information table 32 and a mail address IP address correspondence table 33, and exchanges information with the presence information requesting user via mail.

 [0092] <E-mail transmission to a specific area>

 If Mr. β wants to send an e-mail to all mail users at the base Υ, send mail to the address “YYY@mail.fuj itsu. (Send request ML send request: Step 2-1 in Fig. 5).

 The requested mail is received by the SMTP daemon 12 of the mail server 10. The received SMTP daemon 12 determines whether the requested mail address is a mailing list for a specific area. Here, since it is the ML at site Y, the mail addresses of all mail users at site Y are collected.

 [0094] E-mail addresses are collected by making a processing request to the location-specific mailing list information acquisition means 17 using the ML information of the base Y (the mailing list mail address "YYY @ mail. Fujitsu. Com") as a parameter. Wait for a response (step 2—2). If the requested e-mail address is not an ML in a specific area, the e-mail is delivered to the subordinate e-mail address in the same way as a normal ML.

 [0095] Upon receipt of the processing request, the location specification mailing list information acquisition means 17 notifies the location specification mailing list information reception and response means 28 of the presence server 20 based on the parameters of the location specification ML information, and sends a location specification ML information request. And wait for a response (step 2 3).

[0096] When the location designation mailing list information request acceptance and response means 28 receives the location designation ML information request from the location designation mailing list information acquisition means 17, the email to be transmitted The location specification for collecting the address list The ML information is used as a parameter to make a processing request to the mail address information Z presence information management means 23 and wait for a response (step 2-4).

 [0097] E-mail address information Z presence information management means 23 checks whether it is an e-mail transmission to a specific area based on the received location-specified ML information. The information management means 26 is notified of the IP address list extraction using the address of the specific area as a parameter, and waits for a response (step 2-5). Here, the IP address list extraction for site Y is notified.

 The IP address location information management means 26 searches the IP address / location information correspondence table 31 of the base Y, and extracts all matching IP addresses (steps 2-6, 2-7). Here, 〃4.4.4.4.4〃 and 〃4.4.8.8.〃 are extracted.

 [0099] The IP address list extraction Z response is returned to the mail address information Z presence information management unit 23 using the IP address list as a parameter (step 2-8). E-mail address information notified of IP address list extraction response The Z presence information management means 23 searches the IP address correspondence table 33 based on the IP address, and the IP address "4.4.4.4" 4 4. E-mail addresses that match "8. 8" are extracted (steps 2-9, 2-10).

 [0100] Using the extracted email addresses AAA @ mail. Fujitsu. Com and BBB @ mail. Fujitsu. Com as parameters, notify the location specification mailing list information request reception and response means 28 as a response to the location specification ML information request (step 2). -11).

 [0101] The position designation mailing list information request reception and response means 28 edits the notified mail address list as a mail address list under the position designation ML. The edited mail address list is set as a response parameter, the position designation ML information response is notified to the position designation mailing list information acquisition means 17 of the mail server 10, and the process is terminated (step 2-12).

 [0102] The location-specific mailing list information acquisition means 17 notified of the response notifies the SMTP daemon 12 of the notified list of mail addresses and terminates the processing (step 2-13).

[0103] The SMTP daemon 12 notified of the mail address list sends mail to the mail addresses AAA © mail, fujitsu. Com, BBB @ mail. Fujitsu. Com, and the process ends (Step 2-14). ). As a result, δ and α at base Y are Is sent.

 [0104] In this embodiment, it is possible to send an e-mail only to a person at a specific location on the presence server 20 and the mail server 10, and to reliably transmit information on the specific location to the target person. can do. At the same time, mail is not sent to people who are not currently in the location, which can reduce the load on the network.

 [0105] Third Embodiment>

 FIG. 6 shows the network configuration of the third embodiment of the system for realizing the method of the present invention, and FIG. 7 shows the operation sequence of the third embodiment of the system for realizing the method of the present invention.

 In FIG. 6, the mail user is connected to a network where the mail server 10 and the presence server 20 can be used. The mail server 10 includes a POP daemon 11, a mail address IP address correspondence information extraction means 13, a mail address IP address correspondence information management means 14, a mail address IP address correspondence information transmission means 15, and a mail address IP address correspondence cache 16. . The mail server 10 transmits / receives mail to / from the mail user via communication using the network. It also exchanges presence information with the presence server 20. Here, it is assumed that the exchange is performed using LDAP.

 Presence server 20 includes mail address information Z presence information management means 23, IP address correspondence position information management means 26, IP address / position information correspondence table 31, mail address information table 32, and mail address IP address correspondence table. 33 and IP address position information correspondence table 31 and exchanges information with the presence information requesting user via mail.

 <Registration request for call forwarding>

 If Mr. a wants to manage his / her presence using PBX's unattended transfer, he / she notifies his / her e-mail address BBB @ mail, fujits u. com to PBX setting means 29 of presence server 20 (Fig. 7). Step 3—1).

 [0109] The PBX setting means 29 sets the notified mail address as a parameter, notifies the mail address information Z presence information management means 23 of the PBX absence transfer request, and waits for a response (step 3-2).

[0110] E-mail address information Z presence information management means 23 sends a PBX absence transfer request. If it is known, it searches the mail address information table 32 based on the notified mail address and obtains personal information (step 3-3). Turn on the flag for enabling the forwarding function for the requested personal information.

 [0111] Here, a flag corresponding to Mr. α is set (step 3-4). When the setting is completed, the ΡΒΧ setting means 29 is notified of the completion of the missed transfer setting which means the end of the process, and the process ends (step 3-5). The ΡΒΧ setting means 29 notified of the absence transfer completion notifies Mr. α of the absence transfer setting completion and terminates the processing (step 3-6).

 [0112] <Registration of presence information>

 Here, Mr. α moves from base V to base Ζ, and the presence information changes. <Presentation information registration> is the same as described in the first embodiment, and is therefore omitted (steps 3-7-3-16). As a result, "5. 5. 5. 5" force S is registered in the IP address correspondence table 33 of the presence server 20 as the IP address corresponding to Mr. α's email address BBB @ mail, fujitsu. Com. .

 [0113] After updating the email address IP address correspondence table 33, the email address information Z presence information management means 23 searches the email address information table 32 by email address (step 3-17), and personal information (name, affiliation). , PBX call forwarding function enable flag, information notification flag at the time of location change, and e-mail address to notify presence information) (Step 3-18).

 [0114] Here, since the PBX unattended transfer function valid flag corresponding to the mail address BBB @ mail, fujitsu.com is on, the IP address-compatible location information management is performed to extract the telephone number assigned to the IP address. For the means 26, a personal information extraction request is made using the pre-change IP address and post-change IP address (that is, the initial registered IP address of the notification mail address in the mail address IP address correspondence table 33 and the changed connection IP address) as parameters. And wait for a response (steps 3-19).

[0115] The IP address location information management means 26 notified of the personal information extraction request searches the IP address one location information correspondence table 31 based on the pre-change IP address and post-change IP address ( Step 3-20), extract the location information before change (address, phone number) and location information after change (address, phone number) (step 3-21), and send email address information Z presentation The information management means 23 is notified and the process is terminated (step 3-22).

 [0116] <Registering call forwarding>

 Personal information before change (address, phone number) and post-change personal information (address, phone number) e-mail address information notified Z Presence information management means 23 changes the phone number (personal information) before change Using the later telephone number (personal information) as a parameter, the PBX setting means 29 is notified of the PBX call forwarding request, and the process is terminated (step 3-23).

 [0117] The PBX setting means 29 notified of the PBX call forwarding request generates a remote command so that the reported phone number can be forwarded to the phone number after the change. Request registration of call forwarding. At this time, if the phone number before the change and the phone number after the change match, the call forwarding is canceled to the PBX (step 3-24).

 [0118] In the present embodiment, if a call is made to the other party's phone number, the call is automatically transferred to the phone at the other party's seat, so information is requested from the presence server 20 when calling the other party. This eliminates the need to contact the other party immediately.

 [0119] Fourth Embodiment>

 FIG. 8 shows the network configuration of the fourth embodiment of the system for realizing the method of the present invention, and FIG. 9 shows the operation sequence of the fourth embodiment of the system for realizing the method of the present invention.

 In FIG. 8, the mail user is connected to a network where the mail server 10 and the presence server 20 can be used. The mail server 10 includes a POP daemon 11, a mail address IP address correspondence information extraction means 13, a mail address IP address correspondence information management means 14, a mail address IP address correspondence information transmission means 15, and a mail address IP address correspondence cache 16. . The mail server 10 transmits / receives mail to / from the mail user via communication using the network. It also exchanges presence information with the presence server 20. Here, it is assumed that the exchange is performed using LDAP.

[0121] Presence server 20 includes mail address information Z presence information management means 23, presence information request reception and response means 24, IP address corresponding position information management means 26, PBX setting means 29, and IP address one position information correspondence table 31. And a mail address information table 32 and a mail address IP address correspondence table 33. The presence server 20 exchanges information with the presence information requesting user via mail. [0122] <Presence information request>

 I want to know Mr. a's presence information When Mr. δ wants to collect Mr. a's presence information, he makes a request to the presence server 20. Since the processing of the presence server 20 is the same as the <request for presence information> in the first embodiment, it is omitted (steps 4-1 and 4-1 2 in FIG. 9).

 [0123] Here, looking at the presence information of Mr.

 Since the last update time of Mr. a's IP address is quite long, suppose that “(Ms. X is moving and not at the place.” Mr. δ has updated Mr. a ’s presence information. Request the presence server 20 to be notified (steps 4-13)

) o

[0124] the presence information request receiving and responding unit 24 of the presence server 20 receives this, and that the subject of the ho arbitrary information is _a Mr. Meruadore scan information Ζ presence information management that is information requesting a δ's Inform means 23 (steps 4-14).

 [0125] E-mail address information Ζ Presence information management means 23 searches the e-mail address information table 32 for the e-mail addresses of the two persons, and turns on the information notification flag when the location corresponding to the information subject is changed. Here, the information notification flag when Mr. α's location is changed is turned on, and A AA @ mail. Fujitsu. Com, which is Mr. δ's email address, is registered as the email address for notifying presence information (Step 4-15). , 4—16).

 [0126] After the registration is completed, the mail address information Z presence information managing means 23 notifies the request acceptance completion to Mr. δ via the presence information request accepting and responding means 24 (steps 4 17 and 4-18).

 <Registering presence information>

 Here, it is assumed that Mr. α moves from the base V to the base Ζ and the presence information changes. Presence information registration is the same as in the first embodiment, and is therefore omitted (steps 4 19 and 4-28).

[0128] Mail address of presence server 20 In the IP address correspondence table 33, "5. 5. 5. 5" is registered as an IP address corresponding to his mail address BBB @ mail, fujitsu.com. [0129] E-mail address After the IP address correspondence table 33 is updated, the e-mail address information Z presence information management means 23 searches the e-mail address information table 32 by e-mail address (steps 4-29), and personal information (name, affiliation) , PBX call forwarding function enable flag, information notification flag when location is changed, and e-mail address to notify presence information) (step 43).

 [0130] Here, the information notification flag at the time of location change corresponding to the email address BBB @ mail, fujitsu.com is ON, and AAA @ mail, fujitsu.com is registered as the email address to notify the presence information. Yes. For this reason, in order to extract the location information assigned to the IP address, a request for personal information extraction is made to the IP address corresponding location information management means 26 using the updated IP address as a parameter, and a response is waited for. (Step 4 31)

[0131] The IP address location information management means 26 notified of the personal information extraction request searches the IP address-location information correspondence table 31 for the notified IP address (step 4-32), and extracts the location information. (Step 4 33). This position information is notified to the mail address information Z presence information management means 23 (step 4 34).

 [0132] <Presence information change notification>

 Email address information Z presence information management means 23 (notifies presence information change notification means 30 of Mr. X's presence information and Mr. δ's mail address AAA @ mail, fujitsu. Step 4 35).

 [0133] Presence information change notification means 30 notifies Mr. α's information to the email address AAA @ mail. F ujitsu. Com, and δ notifies Mr. α's presence information when the presence information changes. Can be received (step 4 36).

 [0134] In this embodiment, for example, when a contact is made and the other party is called but is absent, if the other party returns to the seat, the presence server 20 is notified of the presence of the other party's destination. When the server 20 collects the information, the requester is notified. This makes it possible to communicate with the person with whom you make a mistake.

 <Fifth Embodiment>

FIG. 10 shows the network configuration of the first embodiment of the system for realizing the method of the present invention. FIG. 11 shows an operation sequence of the first embodiment of the system for realizing the method of the present invention.

In FIG. 10, the mail user is connected to a network where the mail server 10 and the presence server 20 can be used. The mail server 10 includes a POP daemon 11, a mail address IP address correspondence information extraction means 13, a mail address IP address correspondence information management means 14, a mail address-IP address correspondence information transmission means 15, and a mail address-IP address correspondence cache 16. Have. The mail server 10 transmits / receives mail to / from mail users via communication using the network. It also exchanges presence information with the presence server 20. Here, it is assumed that the exchange is performed using LDAP.

Presence server 20 includes POP daemon 21, SMTP daemon 21, mail address information Z presence information management means 23, data registration means 25, IP address corresponding position information management means 26, and IP address corresponding position information extraction means 27 It is a server composed of the IP address one-position information correspondence table 31, the mail address information table 32, and the mail address IP address correspondence table 33, and exchanges information with “presence information requesting users” via mail.

 [0138] If the new location of the mail user is managed by the presence server 20, it is necessary to register the location information of the new IP address after requesting presence information.

 [0139] <Registration of presence information>

 Here, Mr. α moves from base V to base Z, and the presence information changes. Presence information registration is the same as in the first embodiment, and is therefore omitted (steps 5-1-5-10 in FIG. 11). As a result, "6. 6. 6. 6" is registered as the IP address corresponding to Mr. α's email address BBB @ mail, fujitsu. Com in the IP address correspondence table 33 of the presence server 20. To do.

 [0140] Mail address IP address correspondence table 33 After updating, the mail address information Z presence information management means 23 registers with the IP address correspondence position information management means 26 to check whether the registered IP address exists. Notify the assigned IP address (Step 5-1

[0141] where IP address 〃 6. 6. 6. 6 "is a new IP address, If it does not exist in the response table 31 (steps 5-12, 5-13), the IP address location information management means 26 notifies the mail address information Z presence information management means 23 that it is necessary to collect location information. (Steps 5—14).

[0142] <Registering new IP address location information>

 If the location information at the newly changed IP address is unknown, the mail address information / presence information management means 23 detects that an unknown IP address is present, and the current IP address 〃 6. 6. 6. 6 " Procedure for inquiring location information to Mr. α who uses the terminal.

 [0143] The location information procedure is to send a request email for presence information (location information) to Mr. α's email address BBB @ mail. Fujitsu. Com. Send a mail request to mail. fujitsu. com (steps 5-15).

 [0144] The SMTP daemon 22 sends an inquiry mail of location information (address, telephone number) to the requested mail address BBB @ mail, fujitsu. Com (step 5-16).

 [0145] Having received the inquiry mail, Mr. α enters the location information (address, telephone number) of the current IP address “6.6.6.6” in a predetermined format, Send a message (steps 5–17).

 [0146] The POP daemon 21 of the presence server 20 that has received the mail in which the position information (address, telephone number) is entered notifies the IP address corresponding position information extracting means 27 of the contents of the mail (step 5-18). The IP address corresponding position information extracting means 27 extracts position information (address, telephone number) from the contents of the notified mail and sends a processing request to the data registration means 25 (step 5-19).

 [0147] The data registration means 25 makes a data registration request to the mail address information Z presence information management means 23 using the notified mail address and location information (address, telephone number) as parameters, and waits for registration completion. (Steps 5-20).

[0148] Mail address information requested for data registration The Z presence information management means 23 uses the notified location information (address, telephone number) including the IP address as a parameter to the IP address corresponding location information management means 26. Make a registration request (step 5-21) and wait for a response One.

 [0149] The IP address location information management means 26 notified of the data registration request registers the location information (address, telephone number) in the IP address-location information correspondence table 31 based on the notified IP address. (Steps 5—22, 5—23). When registration is completed, the mail address information Z presence information management means 23 is notified of the completion of registration and the processing is terminated (step 5-24).

 [0150] E-mail address information notified of registration completion The Z presence information management means 23 notifies the data registration means 25 of the completion of data registration (step 5-25), and ends the processing. Thereafter, the data registration means 25 notified of the completion of data registration also ends the process.

 [0151] In this embodiment, even if a new IP address is added to the in-house LAN or the location information such as the corresponding phone number is changed, just by registering information by e-mail. The location information related to the IP address can be registered in the server 20, and the presence information using the presence server 20 can be used.

 [0152] The IP address corresponds to the terminal address described in the claims, the IP address / location information correspondence table 31 corresponds to the terminal address / presence information correspondence table, and the mail address / IP address correspondence table 33 corresponds to the email address / terminal. Corresponding to the address correspondence table, Steps 1-9 to 1-12 are equivalent to the first extraction means, Steps 1-13, 1-17 are equivalent to the first search means, and Steps 1-14, 1-18 are It corresponds to the first registration means, step 2-1-2-8 corresponds to the second search means, step 2-9 1 2-10 corresponds to the third search means, step 2-11 1 2-14 Is equivalent to the first mail transmission means, steps 3-19-3-21 are equivalent to the fourth search means, steps 3-23, 3-24 are equivalent to the telephone transfer control means, and steps 4 31-4 -33 corresponds to the fifth search means, steps 4-35—4-36 correspond to the notification means, Tetsupu 5-15 correspond second mail transmission means 5-16, 5- 18 5- 24 corresponds to the second register means.

Claims

The scope of the claims

 [1] A terminal address presence information table registered in advance by associating a terminal address of the terminal with presence information including its position information, and a mail address-terminal address correspondence table registered with the mail address and the terminal address. In the presence information management method for managing presence information of a user having a mail address, the mail reception requesting power is extracted by extracting the user's mail address and the terminal address of the terminal, and by extracting the mail address-terminal address correspondence table. A presence information management method for searching and registering an extracted terminal address in the mail address-to-terminal address correspondence table when the searched terminal address does not match the extracted terminal address.

 [2] In the presence information management method according to claim 1,!

 In response to a mailing list request specifying a location, the terminal address presence information correspondence table is searched with the location information corresponding to the location,

 Search the mail address / terminal address correspondence table with all the searched terminal addresses,

 Presence information management method for sending mail to all searched email addresses

[3] In the presence information management method according to claim 1 or 2,

 The user configures the use of the telephone transfer function of the private branch exchange,

 When the terminal address of the user using the telephone transfer function in the mail address-terminal address correspondence table is changed, the terminal address presence information correspondence table is searched with the terminal address before the change and the terminal address after the change,

 Presence information management method in which the telephone number of the presence information searched with the terminal address before the change and the telephone number of the presence information searched with the terminal address after the change are passed to the telephone transfer function of the private branch exchange to perform the telephone transfer .

[4] In the presence information management method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

Request a change notification for an absent user, Presence that notifies the user who requested the change notification by searching the terminal address presence information correspondence table by the changed terminal address when the terminal address is changed in the mail address-one terminal address correspondence table. Information management method.

 [5] In the presence information management method according to claim 1 or claim 1!

 When the terminal address is changed in the mail address-one terminal address correspondence table and the changed terminal address is not registered in the terminal address presence information correspondence table, the user who made a mail reception request with the changed terminal address Send a presence information request email to

 Presence information management method for extracting presence information from presence information entry mail sent by the user and registering it in the terminal address presence information correspondence table

[6] A terminal address that is registered in advance by associating a terminal address of the terminal with presence information including its position information, a presence information correspondence table, and a mail address-terminal address correspondence table that is registered with a mail address and a terminal address. In a presence information management system for managing presence information of a user who uses an email address, a first extraction means for extracting a user's email address and a terminal address of the terminal,

 A first search means for searching by the mail address extracted from the mail address / terminal address correspondence table;

 A presence information management system comprising: first registration means for registering an extracted terminal address in the mail address-to-terminal address correspondence table when the retrieved terminal address does not match the extracted terminal address.

[7] In the presence information management system according to claim 6,

 A second search means for searching the terminal address presence information correspondence table with location information corresponding to the location in response to a mailing list request specifying the location;

The mail address-one terminal address correspondence table is used for all the searched terminal addresses. A third search means for searching;

 A presence information management system having a first mail sending means for sending mail to all searched mail addresses.

[8] In the presence information management system according to claim 6 or 7,

 When the user sets the use of the telephone transfer function of the private branch exchange and the terminal address of the user using the telephone transfer function in the mail address-terminal address correspondence table is changed, the terminal address before the change and the terminal address after the change are A fourth search means for searching the terminal address-presence information correspondence table;

 Telephone transfer control means for transferring the telephone number by passing the telephone number of the presence information searched at the terminal address before the change and the telephone number of the presence information searched at the terminal address after the change to the telephone transfer function of the private branch exchange The

 Having presence information management system.

[9] The presence information management system according to claims 6 to 8 of claim 6 and! 1 is requested to change the absent user, and the terminal address is changed in the mail address / terminal address correspondence table. A fifth search means for searching the terminal address-presence information correspondence table with the changed terminal address,

 A presence information management system comprising notification means for notifying a user who has requested a change notification of searched presence information.

[10] The presence information management system according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein a terminal address is changed in the mail address / terminal address correspondence table, and the changed terminal address is the terminal address presence information correspondence table. A second mail sending means for sending a presence information request mail to a user who has made a mail reception request with the changed terminal address;

 A presence information management system comprising: second registration means for extracting presence information from a presence information entry mail sent by the user and registering it in the terminal address-presence information correspondence table.